About Architecture & Urban Design

What is 'high quality architecture and design'?

Architecture and design in North East England is rooted in the North East of England culture. Railway buildings by John Dobson, miners' housing in the Northumberland and Durham coalfields and the dramatic bridges over the Wear, the Tees and the Tyne, are distinctive solutions designed to make places and meet social needs. In addition, the magnificent Grey Street in Grainger Town is one of the most impressive Georgian streets in the country.

In the 20th century, new technology together with economic changes made larger developments and bigger buildings more affordable. Increase in motor traffic impacted on familiar places. With the social and economic pressures, caused by the collapse of North East's traditional industries, aspirations in terms of public place and space diminished. It was thought inconceivable that modern architecture could be both possible and worthwhile.

Northern Architecture believes that architecture and design sensitive to people, scale, materials and neighbourhoods should shape the future North East. Buildings and urban design must re-connect to culture, location and communities; by engaging people who live in, visit and enjoy the North East, in the process of shaping those places.

'Good design is not just about the aesthetic improvement of our environment, it is as much about improved quality of life, equality of opportunity and economic growth.'

'The Value of Good Design', Stuart Lipton (former Chairman CABE) 2002.

What is a good place?

We should aspire to make:

* Places of distinctive character, which recognise locally distinctive patterns of development and landscape.

* Public spaces that make us feel safe, are easy to move through, and work well for everybody.

* Places where it is easy to find your way around, and which have well organised transport.

* Places where a mixture of uses that works well together make places that meet a variety local needs.

What is good architecture?

Good buildings should - 

* Work well and do the job they were designed to do

* Be built efficiently and to a high standard

* Be able to be operated and maintained without wasteful use of resources

* Fit into their context

* Look good

How do we make good places?

Making good places involves -

* Assessing what is good about the place already

* Agreeing what your aspirations are, promoting them and making sure that you achieve them in a clear and transparent manner

* Ensuring that the many skills and interests involved can work together to achieve the objectives

'The best buildings arise from a creative dialogue between the planning authority, the client, the architect and other key professionals involved.'

Francis Golding, Building In Context, CABE, English Heritage 2001